Eating: A Memoir

A cooking adventure at home: Beef Empanadas

February 23, 2021/in Memories

I was heartsick from lack of travel during this seemingly endless pandemic until I realized that all the culinary adventure I need is right at home in Todos Santos, Baja California Sur. Join me as I share in the Ruiz family tradition of empanada night, where the family recipe includes teamwork, lots of muscle, and patience. The end result is something you simply cannot find any where else.

Unearthing the Secret Lurking Deep within the Barbacoa Pit

January 10, 2019

Barbacoa is slow food at its finest. The lamb, goat or beef dish is a ranch-born exercise in pit-cooking patience.

Fish Heads Rule!

January 6, 2019

Fish stock, or fumet, is among the most nourishing foods known to man. My technique takes more time than the average simmer-and-slurp variety but you will be rewarded for the extra effort.

The Esquites of Peña de Bernal

January 6, 2019

Corn comes in many forms in Mexico, none more divine than the street food staples: elote which is eaten on the cobb and esquites which are seasoned and served in a cup dressed with aged cheese, mayo, lime and chile powder or hot sauce.

What do the Swiss know about Gazpacho?

January 4, 2019

On my first gazpacho attempt, I invited a Swiss guest who was staying in our Airbnb. Never one to test new recipes on non-family members, I reasoned that a Swiss woman from Bern wouldn't appraise the technical merits of a soup from Andalucia. Right?

Mise en place: A Good Place to Start

January 3, 2019

In the kitchen, a little preparation goes a long way. Basic mise en place will make you more efficient in your daily cooking and more capable of pulling off extraordinary meals on special occasions.